Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire: On the day of Pentecost, the believers were united in prayer and expectation. Suddenly, God’s Spirit came upon them as a rushing wind, and tongues of fire rested on each one. Each spoke with a new utterance given by the Spirit. This gift allows us to speak mysteries to God, build our faith, and help one another. They receive it by gathering in unity, seeking God, and welcoming the Holy Spirit’s work.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
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Scriptures used in the lesson:
Acts 2:1, Psalms 133:1-2, Acts 2:2, Acts 2:3, Luke 12:11-12, 1 Corinthians 14:2, Romans 8:26, Jude 1:20, Acts 2:4, Psalms 135:7, Revelation 4:5
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
Introduction to Acts
The book of Acts is not about what Jesus began to do and teach, but rather about what happened after He was taken up into heaven. It focuses on how Jesus, through the Holy Ghost, commanded His apostles. Acts and Luke were once a single work and later divided. Acts centers on Jesus’ instructions to His followers after His ascension, illustrating the guidance given by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus’ Final Instructions
After His resurrection, Jesus waited forty days before ascending to heaven. During those days, He proved Himself to His disciples, taught about God’s kingdom, and spoke of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Jesus also commanded His followers to return to Jerusalem and wait for the promised power from the Holy Spirit.
Power Promised by the Spirit
Some disciples wanted to know about future events, but Jesus said to leave that in the Father’s hands. Instead, He told them they would receive power when the Holy Ghost came upon them. The book of Acts emphasizes these instructions and the coming empowerment for ministry.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
The Cloud as God’s Presence
The cloud in Acts 1:9 is a powerful symbol of the kingdom of God. It does not simply represent a physical cloud, but the glory of God and His presence. The cloud provided guidance and protection for God’s people. It shielded them from their enemies, brought blessings, and marked significant events in their journey. The cloud’s significance continues as a teaching about God’s glory and His power to protect and lead His people.
The cloud represents God’s protection and blessing. It shows how God blesses His people and sometimes brings judgment. This image of the cloud is a vital kingdom teaching and speaks to many aspects of God’s care and direction.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
Same Jesus Returns
When Jesus returns at the resurrection, He will come back as the same Jesus. Some people teach that He returns only as a spirit, but Scripture is clear that it is the same Jesus who will return again in the same manner (Acts 1:11).
Leadership and Judas’ Replacement
The process for replacing Judas involved more than just casting lots. Prayer played a part, but the central lesson is that leaders must be known and trusted by those around them. Leadership in the church requires careful selection and a real understanding of the people involved (Acts 1:15-26).
Because the book of Acts is lengthy and divided into important sections, it is helpful to study it in parts.
Preparing for the Spirit
The first section covers the receiving of the Holy Ghost and the beginning of Peter’s preaching. It is essential to digest these events carefully so the core lessons can be taken to heart.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
I want everyone to stand and read verse one with me out loud. After we read, I will pray and ask the Lord to help us understand. I know you are tired and have worked hard, so I’m grateful you are here with me tonight. Let’s read together first, then I will lead us in prayer.
Pentecost and Unity
Acts 2:1
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Father, that’s how we are tonight. Lord, we want to be not only in this place, but Lord, we want to learn about coming into one accord. Lord, I ask you to help us. Father, I pray for our minds, I pray for our ears, our spiritual ears, I pray for our understanding. Lord, I pray that with the Spirit of the Lord that our eyes will be opened, that we can see what you want us to see, that our ears will be opened, that we can hear what you want us to hear.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
Father, I pray that every person here will have the energy to hear and the ability to see what the Spirit has for us. I bind anything that would come and interrupt us, I bind it to the name of Jesus Christ. We ask you to rebuke it. I ask you, Lord God, that our minds can be fixed upon you for this next hour, and that we can obtain something, Lord God, into our hearts, some seed, Lord, that can be productive in our lives, and we ask these things in Jesus’ name. You agree with that? Amen. Be seated.
It’s now the day of Pentecost. About ten days before this, Jesus instructed His followers to return to Jerusalem and remain there. They were to wait for power, for the Holy Ghost to come upon them. When that happened, they would receive a new kind of power they did not have before.
Even though they spent three and a half years with Jesus and saw many miracles, that wasn’t enough. Jesus still said they needed something more. They needed the Holy Spirit in their lives. Experience, learning, and witnessing miracles are not sufficient for us to do what the Lord wants us to do. We need the Holy Spirit.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
The Holy Spirit they needed was the one described in the Bible, not just what others might say. Pentecost was the specific time this promise was fulfilled.
Pentecost itself was not just about speaking in tongues or certain traditions. It was a Jewish feast first given to Moses and originally called the Feast of Weeks or the Feast of First Fruits. The Greek term Pentecost means “fifty days after.” This refers to fifty days after Passover.
Pentecost means fifty days after Passover. The Paschal Lamb was killed on Friday, which we now call Good Friday. Saturday was the Sabbath. The day after that, the count for Pentecost began. Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week, which is Sunday. Counting fifty days from that Sunday brings us to the day of Pentecost, which was also a Sunday.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
The resurrection and Pentecost both happened on Sunday. This is one reason the early church chose Sunday as its day of worship. Although “Christian Sabbath” is not a biblical term, Sunday worship originated from the resurrection and Pentecost. Throughout the book of Acts, Sunday is shown as the main day of Christian gathering and worship.
On the day of Pentecost, Jerusalem was full of people from many places. Several Christ followers were together in one accord. The word “one accord” comes from the Greek “homothomodon.” It combines “homo,” meaning assembled together, and “thumus,” meaning passion or heat. The believers were united with a shared purpose and passion. This unity brought them together with a fervent spirit, ready to receive what God had promised.
In One Accord
The believers came together with genuine passion and fervency. The word “homothomodon” means to be united in mind, purpose, and passion. They were truly together, not only in location but in heart and desire.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
The Holy Ghost would have come on Pentecost, but it did not happen until the believers were in one mind and one accord. Their unity and shared passion were essential. They longed for the Holy Spirit that Jesus had promised. They desired to do kingdom work, but they knew they needed the Holy Spirit’s power first.
For us today, the question is about our own passion. Is our purpose something we truly desire? If we don’t know our passion, or don’t share it as a group, we aren’t truly in one accord. True unity requires more than just having the same goal; it requires a deep passion to see it happen and a willingness to seek whatever is needed to accomplish it.
It is possible for a church today to walk in homothomodon, or true unity. First, the church must understand what that really means. Each person must discover their passion and then commit to pursuing it with dedication and passion.
This year should be about discovering our real passion, desiring to receive the Holy Ghost, and waiting on the Lord. We should come to church with an open heart, not feeling we must follow a set schedule of testimonies, music, or offerings.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
Often, church can become routine. We know what is coming next, and we quickly move through the service. Yet in that process, the Holy Spirit can get left behind. He is always trying to catch up to us, waiting for a moment where He can move freely.
Preparation is important. I come prepared, but those who come should also prepare their hearts and minds. True unity and spiritual breakthrough come when everyone is ready, expecting God to do something.
When the church gathers, everyone should participate by bringing a song, a hymn, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. The church should not be a one-man show. True unity is found when all members share and contribute.
A good example of homothomadon is team spirit in sports. Teams with superstars may draw attention, but it is the teams that work together and share a common purpose that win championships. Every player understands their role, works hard, and shares in the passion for victory.
The same applies to church life. Having a single big-name preacher is not enough. Real change comes when everyone is involved and the Holy Spirit is present. The church functions best when all parts of the body participate.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
We need each other. Seeing and hearing from one another strengthens us and encourages unity. For the church to experience what God wants this year, everyone must come together in unity and shared passion—homothomadon.
The believers were all gathered in one place. When people come together in unity and walk in that unity, nothing bad can come from it. Problems arise when people are divided and do not share a common purpose.
Being together in one place as a corporate body is essential. Individual worship matters, but it does not replace gathering together. To achieve true unity, people must come together, share the same passion, and seek God together. Both individual and corporate worship are necessary, but neither should replace the other.
Having one mind and one accord is crucial. Psalm 133 reminds us how good and pleasant it is when people dwell together in unity. It is in unity that God’s blessing is found.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
Psalm of Unity
Psalms 133:1-2
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
Psalm 133 teaches that it is good and pleasant for believers to live together in unity. In that unity, God commands a blessing and offers life that lasts forever.
When people lack a church home or a place to gather, their lives often lack evidence of God’s blessing. They may try to persuade themselves and others that they are blessed, but their lives show otherwise.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
On the other hand, those who gather regularly for worship, study, and fellowship display blessings in every area of their lives. No substitute exists for the gathering of believers in one place. A true blessing comes in unity, with everyone coming together with a purpose and a strong desire to experience the Holy Spirit. That is what the early church experienced.
The Sound from Heaven
Acts 2:2
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Verse 2 describes a sudden event. There was a sound from heaven, like a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the entire house where the believers were sitting. Cloven tongues like fire appeared and rested on each person.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
The believers were together with passion, but they were not shouting or forcing themselves into complicated religious rituals. They were simply united and waiting. True passion is not always loud; it may be quiet but focused and expectant.
The sound from heaven was more than just noise. It was connected to the image of the cloud discussed before. The cloud represents God’s glory. It led and protected God’s people in the wilderness, brought blessings, and destroyed their enemies. The Holy Spirit came like a rushing wind and a cloud, marking a powerful and divine presence in that room, just as it had in the Old Testament.
Rushing Wind
The Greek word used for “sound” in this passage doesn’t suggest a gentle breeze. Instead, it means a hurricane, a whirlwind, or a tornado. The sound filled the room. It was so strong that conversation was impossible, and everyone’s attention was captured by it.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
This sound from heaven came suddenly. It marked a moment when everything changed. The believers experienced what they had waited and prayed for. The Holy Spirit arrived, and His presence filled the room.
This sudden moment represents how God can work in our lives. When the Holy Spirit comes, things change right away. Suddenly, things that used to matter fade away. God’s presence becomes the only thing you notice. That single moment can change not only your life, but also the lives of everyone you meet.
Suddenly, the sound from heaven came, and the presence of the Lord was there. The people were not afraid. When the Holy Spirit moves and draws near, you do not feel fear. Instead, you feel God’s presence surrounding you. Everything else fades away.
When someone receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit, a sudden change occurs. You feel the draw of God, and nothing else matters. Psalm 135:7 reminds us that God brings the wind out of His treasures. God releases His spirit just as He sends the wind and rain.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
God’s Treasure
Psalms 135:7
7 He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.
This filling by the Holy Spirit is a precious treasure. It happens suddenly and changes everything. Once you have received the Holy Ghost, your life is never the same. You cannot go back. You are changed forever.
Suddenly, when the Holy Spirit moves, the lives of everyone around you change. The sound from heaven fills the entire place, touching those who are devout, praying, or simply sitting. People may try different ways to reach God—praying at a wailing wall, kneeling at altars, or having hands laid on them. All of these are fine if they help someone to experience God.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
The Bible shows that when the Holy Spirit came, the people were simply sitting. They were comfortable and at ease. But over time, we have made the baptism of the Holy Ghost something uncomfortable or overly religious in our churches. Sometimes, services can feel pressured, which prevents people from experiencing the Spirit’s comfort.
The original gathering was not about intense rituals or stress. Instead, the believers were together, talking, eating, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company. They were relaxed and open. We have changed this in many churches, making the Spirit’s gift seem difficult or only for a select few. But in the beginning, they just sat together, and the Holy Ghost came.
When you pray with others in true unity and seek God, His blessing will come—often all of a sudden. You don’t have to perform special rituals or struggle to make something happen. If you are honestly asking for the Lord’s blessing, it will come in a moment, and everything else will fade away.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
Let me share my own experience. I wasn’t planning to talk about this, but I remember being on the third shift at Dundee Mills not long after I started following Christ. I used to pray in my little office in the back room every night. One night, as I was kneeling and praying, something unexpected happened. I started to hear groanings and moanings coming from deep inside me. No one had taught me about this. I didn’t know what was happening. But suddenly, all I could think about was the Lord—His presence filled my thoughts, and everything else faded away.
Over time, we’ve turned this experience into a “church thing.” We make it religious or pressure people to do it our way, like insisting they stand, kneel, or have oil poured on them. We’ve actually made it less comfortable and more complicated. However, if you examine the early church, they received the Holy Spirit while simply sitting together and talking as friends. It was natural and comfortable. That’s how it should be. The Holy Spirit will come when we are united, comfortable, and genuinely expect Him to move.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
When we come together for church, it should feel like a family gathering for a holiday. It should be comfortable, joyful, and filled with fellowship. Yes, we need to teach, preach, and pray, but there must be a sense of ease and togetherness in the house of God. Church is not meant to be a performance or a pressured event. Everyone should feel at home and be able to relax in God’s presence.
On the day of Pentecost, something amazing happened. Cloven tongues like fire appeared and rested on each believer. John the Baptist had once said he baptized with water, but one was coming who would baptize with fire. At the time, people might not have fully understood what that meant, but the coming of the Holy Spirit made it clear.
It is crucial to pay close attention to precisely what happened in that moment. Each person had the flame settle on them. Understanding this detail is vital because it holds a profound lesson for all of us. This truth can change how we see the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives today.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
Tongues of Fire
Acts 2:3
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Divided Among Believers
Cloven tongues like fire appeared and rested on each person. These were not ordinary tongues, but rather, the word “cloven” means “cut in pieces,” and each person received a part. The tongues represented the tongue of the Holy Spirit, divided among the believers in the room.
When we talk about speaking in tongues, it is actually speaking in the tongue of the Spirit. This is not about random sounds or meaningless speech. Instead, the Spirit gives us the ability to speak as God leads, enabling us to express ourselves in a way that transcends our own understanding.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
Shared by All
No one person receives the whole tongue of the Spirit. It takes everyone together, using their unique gifts, to express the fullness of what God wants to say. As the church gathers and the spiritual gifts operate—whether tongues, interpretation, prophecy, or faith—the tongue of the Spirit is revealed through the whole body.
This changes how we think about spiritual gifts. It is not foolish or strange. Instead, it is something to desire. The Spirit wants to speak through us, and we should be comfortable letting Him use us in this way. The tongue of the Spirit comes to us when we gather in unity, making it a gift for all believers together. When the Holy Spirit came, cloven tongues like fire appeared and rested on each of the believers. The word “cloven” means divided or cut into pieces. Each believer received a part of the tongue of the Spirit, not just a simple language or gibberish.
Speaking in tongues is actually talking with the tongue of the Spirit. This means we receive the ability to speak as God directs, not just as humans usually speak. It is the Holy Spirit expressing Himself through us.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
No one person holds all of the Spirit’s tongue. It takes all believers together to reveal the full tongue of the Spirit. As the gifts of the Spirit operate in the church—tongues, interpretation, prophecy, faith, and more—the tongue of the Spirit works through everyone.
Understanding this changes how we see spiritual gifts. The tongue of the Spirit is not something to fear, mock, or avoid. It is something desirable and natural when believers gather in unity and allow the Spirit to speak through them.
Each person received a tongue of fire, indicating that everyone received a part of the tongue of the Spirit. This means the Holy Spirit came upon each believer individually. When someone is baptized with the Holy Ghost, they receive the ability to speak as the Spirit leads.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
John baptized with water, but Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit, including our tongues. After receiving this gift, believers can be faithful witnesses and speak with the power of heaven. Even if someone has learned from Jesus and witnessed miracles, they still need the tongue of the Spirit to speak about God’s kingdom.
The gift is not just about speaking in “tongues,” but receiving the Holy Spirit’s own voice. Through the tongue of the Spirit, Jesus gives ongoing direction to His church. This is what the Bible teaches—when we do not know what to say, the Holy Spirit guides our words, just as Jesus promised in Luke 12:11.
Luke 12:11-12
11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
Luke 12:11 teaches that when believers are brought before leaders or authorities, they should not worry about how to answer. The Holy Spirit will teach them what to say at that moment. This is the work of the tongue of the Spirit.
The Tongue of the Spirit in Scripture
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians that speaking in tongues is speaking directly to God in the Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit enabling a believer to communicate with God in a profound way. This is what it means to have the tongue of the Spirit. Luke 12:11 says that when you are brought before authorities, you should not worry about what to say. The Holy Spirit will give you the right words when you need them. This is an example of the tongue of the Spirit.
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians that speaking in tongues means speaking to God in the Spirit. When we speak this way, it is the Spirit guiding and expressing our prayers. This is what it means to speak with the tongue of the Spirit.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
Speaking to God
1 Corinthians 14:2
2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
1 Corinthians 14:2 explains that when someone speaks in an unknown tongue, they are not talking to other people but to God. No one else understands, but in the Spirit, this person speaks mysteries known to God.
When I speak in tongues, I am speaking directly to God, guided by the Holy Spirit. This is called the tongue of the Spirit. Paul encourages us to pray in the Spirit, especially during times when we do not know what to pray for. In these moments, he teaches us to let the tongue of the Spirit pray through us.1 Corinthians 14:2 says that anyone who speaks in an unknown tongue is speaking to God, not to people. No one else can understand, because the person is speaking mysteries by the Spirit.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
When I pray in tongues, I am talking to God with the help of the Holy Spirit. Paul teaches us to pray in the Spirit, which means allowing the tongue of the Spirit to speak when we don’t know what to pray for. This is how the Holy Spirit helps us when we are unsure how to pray.
The Spirit’s Intercession
Romans 8:26
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Romans 8:26 teaches that when we are weak and do not know what to pray for, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf. The Spirit prays for us with groanings too deep for words. This is not just speaking in tongues. It is the tongue of the Spirit moving through us, helping us in prayer.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
Building Up Faith
Jude 1:20
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Jude explains that when we need encouragement or strength, we can pray with the tongue of the Spirit and build ourselves up in faith. This kind of prayer lifts us. If we are sad or discouraged, praying with the tongue of the Spirit brings joy and lifts our mood. Praying this way builds our faith and strengthens us spiritually. Romans 8:26 states that when we are weak and do not know how to pray, the Spirit intercedes on our behalf. The Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings too deep for words. This is more than just speaking in tongues; it is the tongue of the Spirit being released through us.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
The Spirit of God is never depressed, sick, or lacking. The Spirit is always connected to heaven. When I pray and release the tongue of the Spirit, I can share in that heavenly connection.
If you have ever felt discouraged and then began to pray in the Spirit, you know how it changes everything. Isaiah said that the Lord gave him the tongue of the learned to speak words of comfort to the weary. God wakes us up and opens our ears each day so we can receive His wisdom and encouragement.
Personally, I love to pray in the sanctuary and walk while praying. Most mornings, I get up early and start my day with coffee and prayer. I walk around the building, speaking in tongues several times before I say anything in English. This helps me pursue the tongue of the learned, so I can help others, hear from God, and let Him change my life. The Spirit of God is always full of life and strength. The Spirit is not weighed down by sadness, sickness, or lack. When I speak with the tongue of the Spirit, I join in that heavenly strength and joy.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
Ongoing Filling of the Spirit
Even after being filled with the Holy Ghost, I find that I leak—I do not stay full all the time. The book of Acts demonstrates that believers were filled with the Spirit on multiple occasions (Acts 4:8, 31). This means we all need to be filled again and again. No one stays completely full forever without needing to be refilled.
We can be filled with many things: anger, food, wine, or joy. These things do not happen by accident. We give ourselves to them because we desire them. Being filled with the Holy Spirit happens the same way. One experience is not enough for a lifetime; we need to come back for more.
Just as you return to the kitchen for more food when you are hungry, you must keep seeking the Holy Spirit to stay filled. When you learn where to find the Spirit, you will keep going back for more. It is not just a one-time event. We need the tongue of the Spirit in our lives daily.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
The Enemy’s Opposition
The enemy strongly opposes the gift of tongues more than any other practice in Christianity. There is more resistance to receiving and using tongues, which is the tongue of the Spirit, than there is to receiving salvation itself. People can be Christians without affecting the kingdom of darkness, but tongues threaten the enemy’s work, so he fights this gift with intensity.
There is less opposition to practices like tithing than to speaking in tongues. Some preachers claim tongues were only needed for the early church and are no longer relevant. Yet, these same preachers insist that tithing was for both the early church and today. If tithing is still for believers, then the gift of tongues is too.
The enemy hates for believers to receive or use tongues. He employs various teachings to prevent people from experiencing it or to cause them to doubt their own experience. Some people will question your experience, but they rarely do this with tithing. In the church, nothing faces more spiritual resistance and confusion than the gift of tongues.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
Filled With the Spirit and Tongues
Acts 2:4
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Everyone in the room was filled with the Holy Ghost. They all began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. These people weren’t just speaking in unknown languages; they were filled with the fullness of the Spirit, including wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and reverence for the Lord. These qualities are referred to as the seven spirits before God’s throne.
Revelation 4:5
5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
God shares these treasures with those who walk in the Spirit.
Not every Christian uses the gift of tongues properly. Some do not grow in wisdom or understanding, but proper use of the tongue of the Spirit should help believers connect with heaven, become wise, and gain understanding. Tongues are meant to be more than a ritual—they should bring insight and spiritual growth.
We can be filled with many things in life: amazement, food, wine, anger, or love. However, being filled with the Holy Spirit requires a genuine desire. You need to want God above all else, blocking out every other voice or opinion. Only then can you truly be filled and experience the power of the tongue of the Spirit. Even when filled, we must be intentional, because spiritual fullness will leak away unless it is renewed often.
All the believers present were filled with the Holy Spirit. There were about 120 of them, and that number included everyone who had stayed with the group. This means that 109 out of 120 were not the original apostles, but they received a blessing because they were with the right people. If they had been somewhere else or with others, they might not have received this blessing. The people you choose to be around significantly impact your spiritual life.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
The order in which things happened is essential. The believers spoke in tongues as the Spirit enabled them to do so. Their responsibility was to speak, while the Spirit’s role was to give them utterance. This is similar to when you feel an urge to encourage someone with a word from the Lord—you have to choose to speak out what you feel. The Spirit provides the message, but you must choose to say it.
The same principle applies to speaking in tongues: the Spirit prompts you, but you have to open your mouth and speak. All of the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit supplies the words, but you must act in faith and speak.
Speaking in tongues is the same for all believers. The Spirit of God comes upon you, and you hear sounds, syllables, or words in your spirit that you do not understand. You do not have to say them, but when you choose to speak, the Spirit gives the utterance. The speaking is your part, and the utterance is His part. When you are baptized in the Holy Ghost, He does not force you to speak. The Holy Spirit will not control your tongue or make you talk. Instead, you hear it deep within, and when you finally speak, those are the words He gives.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
Unique Prayer Language
This becomes your prayer language. It belongs to you, and it is unique to your tongue. My prayer in tongues will not sound like yours, and yours will not sound like mine. Everyone has their own portion. For example, my friend always sounded like an Indian when he spoke in tongues, while Paula has her own way that is entirely different from mine. None of these differences means it is not God. Each person has their own piece, and it is still from the Spirit.
When we come together in worship and pray in tongues, each one is offering their own prayer to God. I do not want you to pray my prayer, and I cannot pray yours. Yours may be for me, while mine may be for you. The words are not spoken to men but to God Himself. That is why every voice is valuable and every tongue matters.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
Seeking the Tongue of the Spirit Today
What we need right now is the tongue of the Spirit. I want you to feel comfortable as you seek the Lord. Do not think you have to be religious or do it my way, or the way someone else has done it. Go to your place, settle yourself before God, and pray. Ask Him to come to you, and He will. You will begin to hear sounds in your spirit.
Jesus said in Matthew to ask, seek, and knock. He reminded us that if you ask the Father for something good, He will not give you something bad. If you ask for the Holy Ghost, He will give you the Holy Ghost. That is how the Lord works, and I desire the tongue of the Spirit.
Call to Hunger for More of God
I believe something is taking place among us. I sense a hunger and a deep desire to go further with God. We have studied prophecy and explored eschatology, but now the Lord is calling us to wait in His presence until we receive the Holy Ghost. My prayer is that as we gather again on Sunday, this truth will remain with us. I ask that we allow God to move among us. Father, I thank You for these people and the energy I have received from them.
Acts Chapter 2:1-4 – How to Speak With Tongues of Fire
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Holy Ghost and Scriptural Tongues 3
Come Holy Spirit but Why Tongues?
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